Question

How does the global carbon cycle function in conjunction with Earth’s climate? Can changes in the carbon cycle lead to changes in climate?

Answer 1

The carbon cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth. Carbon is the main component of biological compounds as well as a major component of many minerals. Carbon flows between each reservoir in an exchange called the carbon cycle, which has slow and fast components. Any change in the cycle that shifts carbon out of one reservoir puts more carbon in the other reservoirs. The greenhouse effect itself is a naturally occurring phenomenon that makes Earth warm enough for life to exist.
Thus the carbon cycle plays a key role in regulating the Earth's global temperature and climate by controlling the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Changes that put carbon gases into the atmosphere result in warmer temperatures on Earth.